Ted F. Murray

Ted F. Murray, 88 of Lewistown, died Monday, October 18, 2021 in the Central Montana Medical Center of natural causes.  He was born February 27, 1933 in Lewistown the son of Joseph A. and Ella R. (Hogeland) Murray.  He received his schooling in Lewistown graduating with the Class of 1951 from Fergus High School, although he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1951 prior to his graduation.  He returned to Lewistown following his honorable discharge in 1953 and worked at Moody Implement.  He was working at the State of Montana Fish Hatchery in Lewistown when he was united in marriage to Beverly Watschke on August 20, 1955 in Moore, MT.  Ted and Bev moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked for Boeing.  They moved back in 1958 before the birth of their first child, Vicky, and made their home in Lewistown.  He went on to work at the Montana Department of Highways and then Jason's Hub Clothing in Lewistown where he worked his way up to manager.  In the early 1980's, he began selling cars at Courtesy Pontiac-Buick and then worked at the Creel Funeral Home for several years.  He operated his own business, Creative Visions, frame shop, for many years.  He worked for the Cloyd Funeral Home and drove school bus for School District #1 for 20 years, receiving the Bus Driver of the Year for the State of Montana in 2012. 

In his retirement, Ted spent many hours doing photography and studying the history of Lewistown, his many hours doing woodwork that he loved and helping raise monies for the Shrine Hospitals through the Central Montana Shrine Club.  Ted also volunteered his time at The Central Montana Museum.

Ted was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Friendship Lodge #37 AF & AM of Lewistown, Central Montana Shrine Club, Fergus Post #16 American Legion, Lewistown Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge #456 of Lewistown and the Fergus County Council on Aging. 

Ted was very proud of his family and spent quite a bit of time with his grandchildren, Taylor and Dalton Jensen, and Aaron and Amy Galt.  The volume of pictures, slides and computer discs full of pictures provides a great history for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bev of Lewistown; two daughters, Wendy (Mike) Jensen of Glendive and Vicky (Dave) Galt of Helena, MT; four grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers.

Funeral Services for Ted F. Murray will be Thursday, October 28^th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church with committal in the Lewistown City Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 27^th, 2021 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Cloyd Chapel.  The First Presbyterian will  live steam the service on their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianChurchLewistown for anyone unable to attend. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Shrine Travel Fund, Lewistown Veterans Memorial Park or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home.  Condolences for the family may by posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com